LaVerne attended Cathedral Grade School and Notre Dame Academy where she met many of her lifelong friends. She worked at Scott Air Force Base and spent the majority of her career serving as the principal’s secretary at Belleville East High School for 23 years. She was active in all her children’s sports and activities, serving in PTO and Mother’s Club and was the number one supporter of her grandchildren.
LaVerne was supportive of her husband’s activities as well. She was the heart and soul of Belleville American Legion Baseball. For 23 years, she and her husband played an integral role in the development and nurturing of young men lucky enough to play on the Hilgards baseball team.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, Byron “Barney” Elser; her parents, Amelia, nee Dressler, and Edward Mueth; dear aunt, “Gussie” Dressler; brother, Kenny Mueth; sister-in-law, Beverly K. Musso; and godchild, Jason Jenks.
Surviving are her five children, Debra (Clinton) Smith of High Ridge, MO,
Dr. Tim (Carron) Elser of Cincinnati, OH,
Randy (Sheila) Elser of Freeburg, IL,
Dawn Elser (Shelly Black) of Belleville, IL
and Elaine (Scott) Hull of Belleville, IL,
her grandchildren, Justin, Wesley, Jacob Smith of High Ridge,
Ryan (fiancée, Lauren Vanderhorst) Elser of Cincinnati, OH,
Amelia and Benjamin Elser of Freeburg,
Kelly and Stephanie Hull of Belleville, IL,
a brother, Donald (Mary Lou) Mueth of O’Fallon, MO;
a sister, Lynn (Roger) Jenks of Belleville;
two brothers-in-law, Tony Musso of Belleville, IL, and Bruce (Pam) Elser of Swansea, IL;
dear cousin, Barb (Joe) Swims of Highland, IL;
and many other cousins; nieces and nephews; and family members.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the charity of the donor’s choice. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.
Visitation: Friends may visit from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, April 29, 2022, at George Renner & Sons Funeral Home, Belleville, IL, and from 9 to 10 a.m. Saturday, April 30, 2022, at St. Henry Catholic Church, Belleville, IL.
Funeral: A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 30, 2022, at St. Henry Catholic Church, with Rev. Kenneth York officiating.
Private burial will be at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, St. Louis, MO, at a later date.